as in bribe
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision
the customs official let us know that he might be prepared to look the other way if an appropriate backhander was slipped into his palm
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backhander
But Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor answered right back with a beauty of his own, roofing a backhander past Knight to seal the win.
—
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Sonny Milano tied it up just 31 seconds later when his backhander got up over DiPietro’s glove shoulder.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Florida led 1-0 just past halfway through the first period on what was credited as a backhander by Niko Mikkola.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
As Souliere scrambled back into the crease, Ali spun and fired a backhander that found the back of the net for a 3-1 Irish lead.
—Patrick Donnelly, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Sonny Milano tied it up just 31 seconds later when his backhander got up over DiPietro’s glove shoulder.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Florida led 1-0 just past halfway through the first period on what was credited as a backhander by Niko Mikkola.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
As Souliere scrambled back into the crease, Ali spun and fired a backhander that found the back of the net for a 3-1 Irish lead.
—Patrick Donnelly, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhander
bribe
Noun
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Authorities said the pair took bribes to rig bets on pitches thrown during MLB games.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
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There, colleges were deprived of their employees’ honest services because admissions staff and coaches accepted parents’ bribes.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhander. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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